Linear Function is defined as the real valued function $f : R \rightarrow R$ , y = f(x) = mx + c for each $x \in R$ where
m and c is a constant
$y = x+ 2$
$y=2x -3$
$y=x-2$
$y =4x$
The above all are example of linear function
Domain and Range of the Linear Function
For $f : R \rightarrow R$ , y = f(x) = mx + c for each $x \in R$
Domain = R
Range = R
Graph of the Linear Function
We can draw the Linear Function graph on the Cartesian plane with value of x on the x-axis and value of y=f(x) on the y-axis. We can plot the point and join the point to obtain the graph. The graph of the linear function is a straight line
Steps to Draw the Graph of Linear Function
For $y = f(x) = mx + c$
1. Find the value of y for x=0
y=c
This point will lie on Y -axis. And the coordinates will be (0,c)
2. Find the value of x for y=0
$x= -\frac {c}{m}$
This point will lie on X -axis. And the coordinates will be $(-\frac {c}{m}, 0)$
3. This can be represent in below linear table
4. Now we can draw the line joining these two point
5. We can take any other convienent points also to draw the line
For $y = f(x) = mx + c$
\(m\) is the slope and \(c\) is the \(y\) intercept of the graph.
If \(m\) is positive then the line rises to the right and if \(m\) is negative then the line falls to the right
Below are few graph based on values of m and c Graph for the linear function with m and c both positive Graph for the linear function with positive m and negative c Graph for the linear function with m and c both negative Graph for the linear function with negative m and positive c Graph for the linear function with positive m and c=0. This passes through origin. Such type of linear function is also called proportional function Graph for the linear function with negative m and c=0. This passes through origin
Identify Function and constant function are special cases of Linear function
if m =1 and c=0, Linear function becomes f(x) =x which is a Identity Function
If m=0 ,then Linear function becomes f(x) =c which is a Constant Function
Solved examples of Linear Functions
1. which is below function is a Linear function?
a. $y =2x$
b. $y = 11 -x$
c. $ y= \frac {2}{3} x + \frac {1}{4} $
d. $ x^2 + y^2=1$
e. $y =x^3$
f. $y =x^2 +1$ Solution
For the function to be a Linear function ,it should be of the form (mx+c)
a. This is Linear function as of the form (mx+c)
b. This is Linear function as of the form (mx+c)
c. This is Linear function as of the form (mx+c)
d. This is not a linear function
e. This is not a linear function
f. This is not a linear function
2. which of the graph represent Linear function? Solution
The graph should be straight line for the function to be Linear function
So C and D are Linear function
3. Let f = {(1,1), (2,3), (0, -1), (-1, -3)} be a linear function from Z into Z.
Find f(x). Solution
Since f is a linear function, f (x) = mx + c. Also, since $(1, 1), (0, - 1) \in f$,
f (1) = m + c = 1 and f (0) = c = -1. This gives m = 2 and so,f(x) = 2x - 1.
